Embedded Files
China was ruled by an emperor. His relatives (nobles) helped him run the big empire. Farmers were considered very important to survival and most people had this job. In fact, 90% of all the people in ancient China worked as a farmer. Farmers had to pay a tax to the emperor and work one month each year on building projects. Farmers often had lots of kids to help them farm. Their main crops were rice and wheat. They ate lots of rice and noodles (made from wheat) and they still do today. Farmers would often use insects, ants, birds, and frogs to help protect their crops. They also used terrace farming. Terrace farming is cutting steps or ledges into hills or mountains. Advantages of this are more land to farm and it prevents erosion. Erosion is when land gets destroyed or washed away by wind and water. These "steps" are also easier to water because you can start at the top and the irrigation will trickle down to the bottom without any man-power.
China was ruled by an emperor. His relatives (nobles) helped him run the big empire. Farmers were considered very important to survival and most people had this job. In fact, 90% of all the people in ancient China worked as a farmer. Farmers had to pay a tax to the emperor and work one month each year on building projects. Farmers often had lots of kids to help them farm. Their main crops were rice and wheat. They ate lots of rice and noodles (made from wheat) and they still do today. Farmers would often use insects, ants, birds, and frogs to help protect their crops. They also used terrace farming. Terrace farming is cutting steps or ledges into hills or mountains. Advantages of this are more land to farm and it prevents erosion. Erosion is when land gets destroyed or washed away by wind and water. These "steps" are also easier to water because you can start at the top and the irrigation will trickle down to the bottom without any man-power.
The first writing in ancient China was called calligraphy. It was done on animal bones. They would heat up the bones and "read" the cracks to predict the future. Their writing is done down a page instead of across. We will read more about Chinese writing later in this unit.
The first writing in ancient China was called calligraphy. It was done on animal bones. They would heat up the bones and "read" the cracks to predict the future. Their writing is done down a page instead of across. We will read more about Chinese writing later in this unit.
At first only the rich boys went to school. Later, ancient China developed a civil service test. If a boy did well he might get a special government job. The girls usually stayed home to learn cooking and other household chores.
At first only the rich boys went to school. Later, ancient China developed a civil service test. If a boy did well he might get a special government job. The girls usually stayed home to learn cooking and other household chores.
Each Chinese house had a shrine or special place to honor their favorite god or their ancestors. Honoring their family, both dead and alive, was important. Worshiping many gods is called polytheism. They prayed to their favorite god and their ancestors daily to help them and watch over them.
Each Chinese house had a shrine or special place to honor their favorite god or their ancestors. Honoring their family, both dead and alive, was important. Worshiping many gods is called polytheism. They prayed to their favorite god and their ancestors daily to help them and watch over them.
The Chinese celebrated the idea of a bright future by lighting lanterns and hanging them outside. Today, the Chinese have a special 15 day celebration that is sometimes called the Spring Festival or the New Year Festival. It starts with the first day of the Chinese New Year. This is usually in late Feb or early March. The Lantern Festival is at the end and is still very popular. The whole country is decorated in red and has hanging lanterns all over. If we have time, we will make a lantern to hang in your locker before winter break.
The Chinese celebrated the idea of a bright future by lighting lanterns and hanging them outside. Today, the Chinese have a special 15 day celebration that is sometimes called the Spring Festival or the New Year Festival. It starts with the first day of the Chinese New Year. This is usually in late Feb or early March. The Lantern Festival is at the end and is still very popular. The whole country is decorated in red and has hanging lanterns all over. If we have time, we will make a lantern to hang in your locker before winter break.
Report abuse